Stoker apparatus



Search R00! 19, 194 2 2 Sheets-Sfioet 1 Filed Aug.

mvgno a ATTORilEY beam! I HUUH Nu. I Ui\HI'\bLO July 31, 1945. w. T. HANNA STOKER APPARATUS Filed Aug. 19. 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,INVENTOR i/W T H #ATI'ORNEY new July 31, 1945 .DBUHJH DU UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Rylnvenflonrehteltoimmvementa'instoker 'pon'onauieunduumum.

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devloqeandmanseettm'thmthefollowing my invention is clearly defined speeiflceflnn. and pointed out in the appended claims.

taileolcomtrmflonsndeeommlelotmuhe- Inoneinstmeelhzveecto follow.

cation, in which:

1 11.11. .WW, mum, sectional view through one type of stoke: mus embodymm: the a invention by the motaepecidtotmaflonfertheinterlorottm Search Room forming a pair of channel portions which diverge toward the firing opening. The bottom wall I4d of conduit section Ilb is provided with a longitudinally-extending internal shoulder Me which, as shown in Fig. 1, extends from the lower end of conduit section I4b to a point opposite the end of conveyor screw 25 and, then, dies away. This shoulder lies substantially in the vertical plane including the axis of conveyor screw 25 notches 34a and 35a in the respective gates. These independently adjustable gates provide means for regulating the distribution of fuel to the respective firebox zones lying on opposite sides of the vertical plane including the longitudinal center line of the firebox, and also make it possible to modify temporarily the balanced delivery to said zones provided by 'the conveyor screw working in the conduit section of special and the longitudinal center line of the locomoformation, to meet unusual conditions as heretive firebox. By reason of this shoulder, the porinbefore described. The main function of these tion of the inner wall of the conduit section, to gates is to control the volume of fuel delivered one side of said vertical plane, is offset with reto the sides of the firebox relative to the volume spect to the portion of the inner wall on the delivered near the center.

opposite side of said plane, and the cross-sec- To close the gap between the upper side surtional area of said conduit to one side of the faces of conduit section Nb and the side walls of plane is consequently greater than it is en the the door housing I5 closure sealing members 39 other. This shoulder is a formation which serves and 40, respectively, are provided which are seto interrupt the swirling movement of the coal cured, in any suitable manner, to the door housin the conduit section, induced by the rotation :0 ing, preferably by bolting to the side walls thereof. of the conveyor screw 25, and it acts as a baflie In Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive, I have shown my opposing movement of the coal circumferentially invention embodied in another type of stoker apof the conduit section. The direction of rotation p r t This includes a transfer Conduit of screw is shown by the arrow in Fig. 5 and p n which a Sleeve extension is s id bly it will be noted that coal tending to move cir- 5 mounted, the forward end of this sleeve extencumferentially with the rotating screw will move sion being con e y a et j nt toward the shoulder lie. with a, riser conduit I40. The upper end of the I believe that the unbalanced delivery of coal, latter is provide With a headpiece which from a cylindrical conduit in which a conveyor serves as a continuation thereof and is secured screw rotates, is due to the fact that the coal 1m to the outer face of the backwall I6 of the locotends to move with the screw circumferentially motive firebo having a firing p h A of the conduit so that the fuel tends to concenconveyor screw I23, d e in a y su t e ntrate on that side of the conduit toward which a ner, is rotatable within the conduit H8 and e point on the periphery of the screw, near th forward end thereof is connected, by universal bottom wall of the conduit, moves as the screw connection I 24, to a conveyor screw I25 which rotates. By providing a conduit formati h rotates within the conduit section I and headthat the cross-sectional area, on one side of the Piece The dil'flctioh 0f rotatlon 15 d vertical plane including the axis of the screw, is y e arrow in e pp e d f t greater than on the other, that portion of the conveyor screw is tapered and termmatessubconduit toward which a point on the periphery 40 stantially at the firing opemng. Fuel distributof the screw, near the bottom wall of the conihg apparatus c mprising the distributor Pi duit, moves as the screw rotates, having th I28 and the blast member I21 is supported withlesser cross-sectional area, I have introduced a in the firing open t e pp d of the resistance to this swirling movement of the coal conduit section and, m thls {Stance, the coal and thus secured a balanced d liv The delivered fiows over the end portion lllaof the ulder He is an important factor i thi lower forward wall I4Ib of headpiece HI, and tion, as it offers resistance to this swirling move- Over the pper surface I2'Ia of the blastmember merit and tends to interrupt it, but I h found I21 to the distributing apparatus. The riser conby experience that the degree of resistance ofduit is supported y Its attachment to headfered by the shoulder to interrupt the swirling 50 p ce I and by a bracket I3| mounted upon the movement may be varied as desired by varyi mudring 32, at the point where expansion sheet the abruptness of the shoulder. 33 is secured thereto.

The upper edge of the bottom wall 14d form In this form of apparatus, also, the axis of cona delivery ledge Hf, substantially in line with the veyor screw I25 lies in the vertical plane which delivery ledge I5a of the door housing l5, Coal also includes the longitudinal center hne of the forced upwardly in the conduit sections Ma. and firebox, so that the conduit 0 and conveylor Nb flows over this delivery ledge to th fuel screw I25 are centrally located with respect to t e r buting apparatus. Interposed betwe n th tfiring opening. In order to provide a balanced tom wall Md of conduit section Nb, and the rear delivery of fuel through the firing opening, that wall I5b, there is a pair of independently adjustis to say, the delivery of equal volumes of fuel able gates 34 and 35. These gates are pivoted n pp sldes 0 sald c l p e, I az near the vertical plane including the axis of the p e the i Wall of condu t sectic'm I, conveyor screw as indicated at 36 and 31 (Fig. 2) nd t e c0 D 0f headpiece g no and move in a plane parallel to the wall I51). 5 spec-i111 formatlon- AS Shown a Show er d These gates may be adjusted so that their upper is p d m the bQttOm Y' 2 9 edges are substantially parallel with the delivery Which shoulder 15 contmued I C m e ledges I5a and Hf or to other positions, as indilower forward wall I4Ib of the headpiece MI, and cated in Fig. 2, in which case the upper edges said shoulder extends from the lower end 0; con; of said gates form portions of the delivery ledge du t to a P f the lower 9 g 0 over which the fuel fiows to the distributing apthe firing opening, where it dies away. Astts owiai paratus. To facilitate manipulation of these in Fig. 8, this shoulder results in offs: nge gates, they are provided with handle extensions portion of the bottom wall of the con u ths c 34b and 35b and they may be retained in adjustleld tion}, on trilne $13510?sgltflhzzltllilsfgglgkrlezf a2;

t e s c o e po posmons by the dog Screws threaded mto fgfms a baflie interrupting or resisting the swirlside walls of the door housing I5, and engaging.

ing movement of the coal induced in the conduit section by the rotation of the conveyor screw.

Any form of suitable closure may be provided for the upper portion of firing opening H, such as a door ring I50 and a door I5I. The headpiece I is provided with trunnions upon which the deflectors or wings I34 and I35 are pivotally mounted, These deflectors are adjustable into various angular positions by means of adjusting screws I34a and I35a; threaded into the walls of the headpiece HI and engaging lugs projecting from the wings I34 and I35, respectively. These wings or deflectors may be adjusted to control the lateral extent of the coal stream flowing over the blast member, so as to provide a more or less restricted delivery pathway.

Operation of my improved stoker apparatus should be very clear from the foregoing description. Coal from the locomotive tender I3 is fed into the hopper II and the rotation of the conveyor screw system transports the fuel past the breaker I2, which crushes the larger lumps into proper size, and then through the transfer conduit I8 into the elevating conduit I4, comprising the lower section, Ila, and the upper section, I417. The fuel carried upwardly in these conduit sections by the rotating screw 25 is delivered over the delivery ledges I41 and I50. to the fuel distributing apparatus in the firing opening I], which functions to distribute the coal to the various portions of the fire bed. The tendency of the coal to move circumferentially of conduit section I4b, or to acquire a swirling movement therein, because of the rotation of conveyor screw 25, is interrupted or resisted by the constriction formed by the shiulder Me, with the result that the coal flows from the delivery end of said conduit section in a balanced manner, aproximately equal volumes, in equal units of time, being delivered on opposite sides of the vertical plane including the longitudinal center of the locomotive firebox. It should be understood that, although it is desirable to equalize the volumes of coal delivered on opposite sides of said vertical plane, it is not necessary or desirable to distribute the coal uniformly over all portions of the fire bed. This distribution, in each of the to zones on opposite sides of said vertical plane, is regulated by the adjustable gates 34 and 35, one for each of said zones, respectively. The operation of the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive is substantially the same as that already described, but, in this case, instead of the adjustable gates 34 and 35, the deflector wings I34 and I35 are employed.

I am aware that the apparatus here shown is susceptible of considerable variation without departing from the spirit of my invention and, therefore, I claim it broadly as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a locomotive stoker for supplying solid fuel to a fire box through a firing opening in the back wall thereof, including fuel distributing apparatus associated with said opening, a conduit system for delivering fuel to said distributing apparatus comprising the combination of a conduit section from which fuel flows lengthwise of the section to said distributin apparatus, a conveyor screw rotatable within said conduit section and terminating therein, a portion of the wall of said conduit section, adjacent the delivery end of said screw and at one side of the vertical plane including the axis of said screw, being offset inwardly with relation to the adjacent portion of the wall on the opposite side of said plane, and means for driving said screw in a direction to cause a point on the periphery thereof next to said adjacent portion to move toward said inwardly offset portion, whereby said conduit system delivers substantially equal volumes of fuel on both sides of said plane.

2. In a locomotive stoker for supplying solid fuel to a firebox through a firing opening in the back wall thereof, including fuel distributing apparatus associated with said opening, a conduit system for delivering fuel to said distributing apparatus comprising the combination of a conduit section from which fuel flows to said distributing apparatus, a conveyor screw rotatable Within said conduit section and with its axis lying substantially in a vertical plane including the longitudinal centerline of said firebox, a portion of the wall of said conduit section, adjacent the delivery end thereof, and below said axis and at one side of said plane, being inwardly offset with relation to the adjacent portion of the wall below said axis and on the opposite side of said plane, and means for driving said screw in a direction to cause a point on the periphery thereof next to said adjacent portion to move toward said inwardly ofiset portion, whereby said conduit system delivers substantially equal volumes of fuel on both sides of said plane.

3. In a locomotive stoker for supplying solid fuel to a firebox through a firing opening in the back wall thereof, including fuel distributing apparatus associated with said opening, a conduit system for delivering fuel to said distributing apparatus comprising the combination of a conduit section from which fuel fiows to said distributing apparatus and a conveyor screw rotatable within said conduit section and having its axis lying substantially in the vertical plane including the longitudinal centerline of said firebox, a portion of the inner wall of said conduit section in said plane and adjacent the delivery end of said conduit section being so formed as to interrupt the swirling movement of the mass of fuel induced within said conduit section by rotation of said screw and thereby equalize the delivery of fuel on opposite sides of said plane.

4. In a locomotivestoker for supplying solid fuel to a firebox through a firing opening in the back wall thereof, including fuel distributing apparatus associated with said opening, a conduit system for delivering fuel to said distributing apparatus comprising the combination of a conduit section, fixed with respect to said opening, from which fuel flows to said distributing apparatus and a conveyor screw, rotatable within said conduit section and having its axis lying substantially in the vertical plane including the longitudinal centerline of the firebox, a portion of said conduit section, adjacent the delivery end thereof and surrounding said screw, being so formed as to have a lesser cross-sectional area on that side of said plane toward which a point on the periphery of the screw adjacent the bottom wall of the conduit section moves as the screw turns, than on the opposite side of said plane, whereby the delivery of fuel on opposite sides of said plane is equalized.

5. In a locomotive stoker for supplying solid fuel to a firebox through a firing opening in the back wall thereof, including fuel distributing apparatus associated with said opening, a conduit system for delivering fuel to said distributing apparatus comprising the combination of a conduit section from which fuel flows to said Searcn mum distributingapparatus, and a conveyor screw, rotatable within said conduit section and having its axis lying substantially in the vertical plane including the longitudinal centerline of the firebox, a portion of the wall of said conduit section adjacent th delivery end thereof and lying substantially in said plane being so formed as to constitute a baflie opposing the swirling movement of the fuel mass induced within the conlivery end in a delivery ledge, side walls diverging from the intake to the delivery end, a top wall sloping toward the bottom wall from the intake to the delivery end, an intermediate portion of said top wall extending inwardly of the conduit section forming in conjunction with the side walls a pair of channels in the top wall diverging toward the delivery end, and an internal shoulder extending longitudinally of the bottom wall, approximately midway between the duit section by rotation of said screw, whereby delivery of fuel on opposite sides of said plane is side walls, perpendicular to said delivery ledge, equalized. from the intake end to a point near the delivery 6. In a locomotive stoker for supplying solid end of said section. fuel to a firebox through a firing opening in the 8. A conduit section for use as a part of the back wall thereof, including fuel distributing fuel-delivery system of a locomotive stoker havapparatus associated with said opening, a coning a bottom wall terminating in a delivery duit system for delivering fuel to said distributledge at the delivery end of said section, side ing apparatus comprising the combination of a walls diverging from the intake to the delivery conduit section from which fuel flows to said end, a top Wall formed so as, in conjunction with distributing apparatus, a conveyor screw, rotatthe side walls, to givein effect a pair of chanable within said conduit section and having its nels diverging toward the delivery end, and an axis lying substantially in the vertical plane ininternal shoulder extending longitudinally of cluding the longitudinal centerline of the flrethe bottom wall, approximately midway between box, a portion of the wall of said conduit secthe side walls. perpendicular to said delivery tion near the delivery end thereof having a lonledge, from the intake end to a point near the gitudinally extending shoulder substantially in delivery end of said section. said plane, and means for driving said screw in 9. A conduit section for use as a part of the a direction such that it tends to move fuel cirfuel-delivery system of a locomotive stoker havcumferentially of the conduit section against ing a bottom wall terminating in a delivery ledge said shoulder, whereby delivery of fuel on oppoat the delivery end of said section, side walls, a site sides of said plane is equalized. top wall and an internal shoulder extending 7. A conduit section for use as a part of the longitudinally of the bottom wall and lying subfuel-delivery system of a locomotive stoker havstantially in a vertical plane perpendicular to into a bottom wall, curved near the intake end said delivery ledge. and substantially flat at the delivery end of said WILLIAM T. HANNA.

section, said bottom wall terminating at the de- 

